Diss 1st XV 24 – 28 Colchester 1st XV, 7th January 2012

Diss 1st XV 24 – 28 Colchester 1st XV, 7th January 2012

Diss caught out by Colchester

The conditions were ideal for a game that had the makings of a classic, two sides eager to show their promotional credentials. The crowd were not disappointed, from the outset Colchester, determined to run the ball at every opportunity, Diss, equally determined, also eager to run at the Colchester defence. The resulting clash in the early minutes resulted in a penalty for Diss, caused by a high tackle on Chris Beaird, converted by Chris Beaird. Colchester responded, putting the Diss defence under considerable pressure, until eventually the pressure told and Diss gave away a penalty converted by Withers. Diss, shaken by a number of changes to the team that had so comprehensively beaten North Walsham before Xmas, looked vulnerable in defence, and didn’t seem to have an answer to Colchester’s ability to offload the ball quickly. It was this naivety that allowed Colchester to score the first try, a break down the wing after some quick passing allowed Philp to break two tackles and score.

Diss, however, are a different team under Phil Sharpe’s management and started to move up a gear, Matt Gardner showing his strength at centre, came close to scoring with a few breaks. Chris Craven again showing his adventurous side was stopped a number of times, Colchester were not to be browbeaten and their counter attacking strategy, put the Diss team on the defensive. To their credit the Diss pack, with the Hall brothers notable amongst them, took the game to Colchester and held them out a number of times. It was from just this defensive platform that Diss scored just before half time. Rickie Holt in his first game for Diss for some time, started the move with an arrowed pass to Farrar, flighting the ball to Gardner who with one step gave out the ball to Giles West, whose turn of pace was too much for the Colchester defence, stepping inside to score under the posts, Chris Beaird Converting.

Half time has been a galvanising moment for Diss this season, and they have often started and finished the second half with a rush of fluid and controlled rugby. Today was different, starting the second half with a brace of tries, but finishing on the back foot, by conceding one too many tries. Colchester opened the second half by scoring two tries, the Diss defensive line, lacking when quick penalties were taken against them, were left looking at space after quick inter passing moves between the Colchester backs. With their confidence soaring Colchester were taken aback when Diss scored successive tries through Ricky Holt and an impressive try by Giles West after a fine kick over the Colchester defence from Tom Holt, Giles West was able to take and score under the posts, both tries converted by Beaird. The remaining twenty minutes was a tense affair with both sides counterattacking, Colchester finally breaking down the redoubtable Diss defence, with a kick along the wing for the winger to touch down with two minutes remaining. Diss will learn from this, and with a full squad available next week, Phil Sharpe will undoubtedly return to winning form.

Report by Arthur Gittins